Irrigation and pest control get top billing on the gardeners’ schedules in July and August, especially east of the Coast and Cascade Ranges. Along the coastline up into southern Alaska there is more humidity and some rainfall but the burden of watering, even in those areas, is largely up to the home owner. Cool night […]
Archives for July 2011
Add Blazing Color With Oriental Poppies
The Oriental influence in home and garden decoration has resulted in the increase in the popularity of the Oriental poppy. To meet the demand, there are hybrids of enchanting colors which, in spite of their delicate appearance, hold their own against wind and rain. Today you can have, in addition to the old-fashioned brilliant orange […]
Southern Landscapes and Gardens Welcome July
This is a month (July) of varied garden activities. There are always some odd planting jobs, and garden maintenance goes on, even in hot, dry weather. But mostly we should try to relax and enjoy the many lovely shrubs that come into flower this month. Blooming in July are bottlebrush, hypericum, Florida jasmine, plumb ago, […]
Southwest July Garden Task Rundown
Throughout most of the Southwest rainfall this past season has again been far below normal; snowfall in the Sierras has been scant, so some areas may face a curtailed supply of water for gardens. But prudent use and proper conservation can stretch the available supply so that your garden will not suffer. Apply ample mulches […]
West Coast Gardening
On the West Coast there is increased interest in adventitious gardening. If you take to casual gardening for reasons of economy, scarcity of help or even from preference, you will find it’s an intriguing game to grow an assortment of plants which can pretty much take care of themselvesÑplants you like and ones that enjoy […]
pH Important Numbers For Growing The Best Plants
Question: I’ve heard many people talk about checking the pH of the soil for the lawn, garden and landscape. Is it really that important or some test to make more money. Marcus, Bryan, Texas Answer: Marcus, do not shy away from the term pH because it sounds mysterious and hard to understand? If you do, […]
Brighten Your Window With Gloxinias
If you want color on your windowsill, try growing gloxinias. No other house plants can provide the interesting variations and color range of the new gloxinia hybrids, and no other plants will reward you so handsomely for the small effort it takes to flower them. Their colors run the gamut from delicate orchid pink to […]
How To Make Summer Cuttings
Question: What plants can we take cuttings of now (July) and start rooting them. I do not have a greenhouse but want to learn more on how to start my own plants and maybe sell some plants occasionally. Deb, Danville, Virginia Answer: Deb, many woody plants can be rooted easily. Although this is usually left […]
Beautiful Blueberry Crop – Birds Win
Seventeen years ago I decided to grow blueberries. Several hundred large shrubs were obtained and successfully transplanted. In order to send all the strength possible into the root system, the plants were cut to six-inch stubs. The first year’s growth was excellent, each bush recovering about half the normal size. For the second year, it […]
August Pointers… Tips for the Northern Gardeners
One of nature’s beneficences is the resurgent growth of grass in late summer and autumn when nights become cool and the soil gathers more moisture. This is the most opportune time for making or renovating the lawn. Weeds are less active, too. Perhaps two of the greatest obstacles to a successful lawn are weeds and […]
